Simpson v. United States, 199 U.S. 397 (1905)

Simpson v. United States


No. 31


Argued October 27, 30, 1905
Decided November 27, 1905
199 U.S. 397

APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF CLAIMS

Syllabus

In construing a contract with the Commissary General for supplies to post in Cuba described at one place as "remote from the seacoast" and at another as "in the interior of the island," held that the two phrase meant the same thing and interpreted the word "interior," and that the contemporaneous construction of the Commissary General in refusing to take supplies for a post about eight miles from Havana and the camping ground for that city, that the contract applied only to posts remote from the seacoast, was correct. Also held that the written contract could not be extended to places not specified therein by an indefinite oral agreement.

The facts are stated in the opinion.